Katine Chronicles blog + Katine amref | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog+amref
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Modern highway opens up Katine but strike hammers health programmehttp://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/sep/20/katine-diary-progress
Sarah Boseley spent a week in Katine, Uganda, this month to check on progress since her visit last year. In this first diary extract, she marvels at an immaculate new road but laments the highly damaging effects of a health workers' strike<p>I have mixed feelings this trip – happy to be back but sad that it could be the last time. The Guardian's day-to-day coverage of the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2008/sep/23/background.news/">Katine community development project</a> officially finishes at the end of October this year. I hope I don't have to explain that to too many of the friends I have made here.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/sep/20/katine-diary-progress">Continue reading...</a>HealthUgandaKatineKatine amrefAid and developmentGlobal developmentLivelihoodsNewsAfricaMon, 20 Sep 2010 10:53:08 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/sep/20/katine-diary-progressGraeme Robertson/GuardianWomen farmers display their produce at a weekly market in Katine, north-eastern Uganda. Photograph: Graeme Robertson for the GuardianDan Chung/GuardianPrimary school pupils prepare for a web chat with the UK: Amref says it has had to limit access hours to its computers in Katine to avoid students skipping classes. Photograph: Dan ChungDan Chung/GuardianStudents from Katine primary school are trained to use computers in the AMREF community media centre at the Katine office. The students are expected to have a web chat with british school students later this month. Photo by Dan Chung The Guardian has launched an appeal in partnership with the African Medical and Research Foundation (Amref) and Barclays as part of a three-year project to improve the lives of its 25,000 inhabitants. Katine Project Photograph: Dan Chung for the GuardianSarah Boseley2010-09-20T10:53:08ZUganda deals blow to community schoolshttp://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/sep/16/uganda-katine-education-unqualified
Uganda is no longer seconding primary teachers from government schools to non-government-funded community schools in a move that will increase already large class sizes and open up key gaps in staffing<p>Children in Katine's primary schools are finding themselves in even larger classes than usual this term. </p><p>The Ugandan government has dealt a cruel blow to the sector by stopping the secondment of teachers from government schools to non-government-funded community schools.&nbsp; </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/sep/16/uganda-katine-education-unqualified">Continue reading...</a>UgandaGlobal developmentWorld newsNewsEducationAid and developmentKatine amrefMillennium development goalsAfricaThu, 16 Sep 2010 13:49:30 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/sep/16/uganda-katine-education-unqualifiedGraeme Robertson/Graeme RobertsonKadinya primary school in Katine is one of many community schools in Uganda to lose qualified teaching personnel following a new government ruling. Photograph: Graeme RobertsonGraeme Robertson/Graeme Robertson10 Sept 2010: Kadinya primary school in Katine is one of many institutions to lose teaching personnel after a government ban on on untrained staff Photograph: Graeme RobertsonAnne Perkins2010-09-16T13:49:30ZAre delays in aid funding inevitable?http://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/sep/15/aidanddevelopment-uganda-funding
A small sum to replace savings stolen from poor farmers in Katine, Uganda, has taken five months to reach them. Are such delays necessary? Please post your views<p>Getting donors' money smoothly and quickly into the hands of those who desperately need it - and know how to use it - is a perennial problem faced by both governments and non-government agencies. Joseph Malinga, our reporter based in Katine, north-eastern Uganda, only yesterday wrote on our site that it has now taken five months for funding to arrive in Katine to replace the losses suffered by a farmers' savings group following a robbery last year.</p><p>Katine is a <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2008/sep/23/background.news/">community development project</a>, involving 66 villages in six parishes across a large area and covering the full range of development issues. The non-government agency <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/amref/">Amref (African Medical Research Foundation (Amref)</a>, which is implementing the project, funded by Guardian readers and Barclays Bank, works in several countries and through various national and local administration offices in Africa and elsewhere. Each office handling the funds requires them to go through an exhaustive checking procedure to ensure the targeted community group receives the money.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/sep/15/aidanddevelopment-uganda-funding">Continue reading...</a>Aid and developmentUgandaKatine amrefKatineWorld newsLivelihoodsGlobal developmentAfricaWed, 15 Sep 2010 13:55:54 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/sep/15/aidanddevelopment-uganda-fundingGuardianMoney from a Katine village savings and loans group. Photograph: Dan ChungGuardianMoney from a Katine village savings and loans group. Photograph: Dan ChungRichard Doughty2010-09-15T13:55:54ZPoverty cuts down chances of Katine baby's heart ophttp://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/sep/13/katine-health-heart-baby
The life of a baby girl born with a congenital heart condition in Katine, Uganda, is on hold as her father campaigns for the money to finance a complex operation in Kampala<p>Six months ago Michael Eriau's wife, Phoebe Arubo, gave birth to a bouncing baby girl at Soroti's regional referral hospital, Uganda. &quot;Being the first born in my family, it was a perfect joy for my parents since I'm the first born,&quot; said Eriau. &quot;I and my wife were equally happy. I imagined how my family would be with this new person. For long I had waited to be called 'daddy' and here I was.&quot;</p><p>Such thoughts are common among young couples after the birth of their first child. Unfortunately for Eriau, his own happiness was short-lived.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/sep/13/katine-health-heart-baby">Continue reading...</a>KatineKatine amrefHealthAid and developmentUgandaAfricaMon, 13 Sep 2010 16:16:49 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/sep/13/katine-health-heart-babyJoseph Malinga/GuardianHospital-bound? Bodaboda rider Michael Eriau carries his six-month-old daughter, Sabina Ikunyu, whose congenital heart condition requires a special operation in Kampala. Photograph: Joseph MalingaJoseph Malinga/GuardianHospital-bound? Bodaboda rider Michael Eriau carries his six-month-old daughter, Sabina Ikunyu, whose congental heart condition requires a special operation in Kampala Photograph: Joseph Malinga for the GuardianJoseph Malinga2010-09-13T16:16:49ZKatine project leads on NGO monitoring but there's a long way to gohttp://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/sep/06/katine-ngos-blog
Keeping tabs on NGO activities is key to ensuring successful long-term development in Uganda and elsewhere. Lessons can be learned from the Katine project's stress on partnership<p>A call to regulate non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that seek to bring positive change to Africa by investing huge amounts of time and energy to help those in need has to be a good idea because, in the end, those they are trying to help will benefit. In a <a href="http://www.guprod.gnl/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/jul/26/aidanddevelopment-uganda">recent blog</a> on this website, Marieme Jamme, a philanthropist and president of SpotOne Global Solutions Group, said it all.</p><p>But many questions remain unanswered. For example, who should regulate NGOs? Could government structures work best? Should the community members where the NGOs intend to work take the lead? Or should there be some sort of an NGO regulating other NGOs?</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/sep/06/katine-ngos-blog">Continue reading...</a>UgandaAid and developmentGlobal developmentKatine amrefAfricaMon, 06 Sep 2010 16:12:40 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/sep/06/katine-ngos-blogGuardianTiriri health centre: Katine community members rejected a proposal to install a solar-powered water pump because it would be too difficult to maintain. Photo: GuardianGuardianSix-week-old Ellen Beatrice Asano waits for her polio immunisation with her mother, Naomi Abegno, at Tiriri health centre. Since the Guardian/Amref project began last year, <strong><a href=?http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2008/oct/31/health-achievements?>around 13,770 children</a></strong> have been vaccinated against childhood diseases, such as polio, measles, diphtheria and tetanus Photograph: GuardianJoseph Malinga2010-09-06T16:12:40ZReaders are asked for final say on Katinehttp://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/sep/03/katine-blog-views
At the end of the Guardian's full-time, three-year coverage of the Katine project in Uganda, we ask readers to post below final thoughts on a venture linking online media with development<p>Next month, the Guardian's full-time coverage of the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2008/sep/23/background.news">Katine project</a> will come to an end after three years.</p><p>Much has happened since the African Medical and Research Foundation (Amref), with technical assistance from Farm-Africa, began its work in this sub-county of north-east Uganda in 2007, and many of you will have followed progress on the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine">Katine website</a>.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/sep/03/katine-blog-views">Continue reading...</a>KatineKatine amrefUgandaWorld newsAid and developmentGlobal developmentHealthWaterGovernanceAgraEducationAfricaFri, 03 Sep 2010 11:19:51 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/sep/03/katine-blog-viewsGuardianAlice Adebo and her friends carry bags on their heads in Amorikot, Katine, Uganda. Photograph: Dan ChungGuardianAlice Adebo and her friends carry bags on their heads in Amorikot, Katine. Photograph: Dan ChungGuardian Staff2010-09-03T11:19:51ZDoes Africa have the support and the will to feed itself?http://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/aug/24/africa-katine-farming
Africa has a quarter of the world's arable land but produces only a tenth of our food. On the eve of a pan-African conference on food security, Lindiwe Sibanda asks how African farmers can turn things round<p>One week from now, 200 agricultural experts from across Africa and around the world will meet in Namibia at the annual regional food security policy dialogue of the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (Fanrpan) to discuss some of the most pressing issues facing the African continent.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/aug/24/africa-katine-farming">Continue reading...</a>KatineKatine amrefUgandaFarmingFishingAid and developmentGlobal developmentWorld newsFood securityAfricaWed, 25 Aug 2010 10:43:58 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/aug/24/africa-katine-farmingguardian.co.ukLindiwe Majele Sibanda2010-08-25T10:43:58ZAmref's balancing act in Katinehttp://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/jul/12/developing-policy-delivering-aid
Amref appears caught between developing a good model of development practice and delivering life-changing aid<p>One of the longest-running stories in the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2008/sep/23/background.news">Katine project</a> was back in the news recently: delivering water to the theatre at Tiriri health centre. This time it was to do with <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2010/jun/01/tiriri-water-pump">the proposed motorised pump</a>.</p><p>Two years ago, when the Soroti district administration discussed the possibility of a solar-powered pump, many officials are understood to have given it something between lukewarm support and polite rejection. One district official, I was told, asked staff at the African Medical and Research Foundation (Amref), which is implementing the development project in Katine, to explain how they were going to secure the system, but he did not get a conclusive answer.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/jul/12/developing-policy-delivering-aid">Continue reading...</a>Aid and developmentNewsKatine amrefKatineUgandaWorld newsAfricaMon, 12 Jul 2010 08:06:49 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/jul/12/developing-policy-delivering-aidGuardianBicycles belonging to Village Health Team members in Katine, distributed by Amref. Photograph: Dan ChungDan Chung/GuardianA child sits on an Amref bicycle at the Tiriri health centre in Katine. Photograph: Guardian/Dan ChungRichard M Kavuma2010-07-12T08:06:49ZEmpowering the mothers of Africahttp://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/jun/24/empowering-women-grace-mukasa
With gender empowerment, you stop to take a breath. You do not quit. There is no one single way to do it. And it is a lifetime commitment, says Grace Mukasa<p>In <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/may/05/women-rights-uganda">his blog last month</a> about the experiences of Katine women who are participating in village savings schemes, Richard M Kavuma was right to conclude that there is still much to do to change attitudes towards women's empowerment. And it is not only the attitudes of men that need to change, but also of women and girls.</p><p>Richard is also right to raise the important question of whether rural projects should have separate components to promote gender dialogue. True, gender issues should be integrated into all development interventions. However, given the highly dominant power relationships between men and women, boys and girls, separate components that specifically address women's and girls' unique needs and their state of powerlessness need to be individually developed and implemented.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/jun/24/empowering-women-grace-mukasa">Continue reading...</a>WomenEmpowermentNewsKatine amrefKatineUgandaGenderWorld newsWomenAfricaThu, 24 Jun 2010 08:01:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/jun/24/empowering-women-grace-mukasaGuardianWomen and children by a borehole in the Katine sub-county. Photograph: Dan ChungGuardianWomen and children by a borehole in the Katine sub-county. Photograph: Dan ChungGuardian Staff2010-06-24T08:01:00Z'Volunteerism built on altruism is not sustainable in Africa's health sectors'http://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/may/12/health-volunteerism-not-working
Dr Peter Ngatia, director for capacity building at Amref, argues that day-to-day survival makes volunteerism in poor communities untenable<p><strong>Background:</strong><br /><em>In March we reported on the Katine blog that some members of the village health teams (VHTs), revived in the sub-county by the African Medical and Research Foundation (Amref) as part of the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2008/sep/23/background.news">Katine project</a>, were going on strike <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2010/mar/29/vht-health-strike">over the withdrawal of training allowances</a>.</em></p><p><em>We've written before about <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2009/apr/10/volunteers-healthcare-shortfall">the reliance on volunteers</a> to carry out basic healthcare in Uganda and news of the strike raised issues about the sustainability of VHTs after Amref withdraws from the sub-county next year. Amref states that it has to operate in line with government policy on VHTs, which, in Uganda, does not allow for financial remuneration, although expenses can be paid and some other forms of incentives can be offered.</em></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/may/12/health-volunteerism-not-working">Continue reading...</a>HealthKatine amrefNewsKatineAid and developmentGlobal developmentSocietyUgandaWorld newsAfricaWed, 12 May 2010 10:00:17 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/may/12/health-volunteerism-not-workingGuardianBetty Acao, a newly trained village health team member and community vaccinator, helps conduct an immunisation programme at the Ojom heatlh centre, in Katine. Photograph: Dan ChungLiz Ford2010-05-12T10:00:17ZThe rights approach to developmenthttp://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/mar/01/rights-based-approach-development
Amref staff and local leaders have received training in how to take a rights-based approach to development in Katine, a phrase that appears several times in activity plans for the coming year. But what does it mean? Richard M Kavuma reports<p>In the last few months, staff at the African Medical and Research Foundation (Amref) in Katine have been getting to grips with a new term - rights-based approach (RBA) to development.</p><p>Staff and Amref's partners in the sub-county have attended RBA orientation workshops, conducted by Amref's Katine project manager, Oscar Okech, and external consultants.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/mar/01/rights-based-approach-development">Continue reading...</a>GovernanceKatine amrefNewsKatineUgandaWorld newsGlobal developmentAfricaMon, 01 Mar 2010 10:57:25 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/mar/01/rights-based-approach-developmentGuardianChildren pose for a photo up a tree at sunset in Samuk village, Katine sub-county. It is hoped RBA will empower these young people to fight for their rights. Photograph: Dan ChungRichard M Kavuma2010-03-01T10:57:25ZProviding safe water in Katinehttp://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/feb/01/safe-water-leonard-kasule
A recent <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/jan/13/amref-second-year-report">Katine blog post</a> received a number of comments regarding water coverage in the sub-county. Here, Amref's water and sanitation officer, Leonard Kasule, addresses some of the points made<br /><br /><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/jan/13/amref-second-year-report">Read the original blog</a><p>In any rural community, the most essential basic need is access to adequate safe water. In <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2008/sep/23/background.news">Katine</a> the community has done whatever is within their means to address the water shortage, given the circumstances under which these people are currently living. They have dug open and shallow wells and protected them with logs. However, this does not necessarily mean that water from such sources is safe. Given the topography of the area, during the rainy season run-off water washes faeces into open wells and springs, rendering the water unsafe, especially for drinking.</p><p>The directorate of water development, (the arm of the Ministry of Water responsible for rural and urban water supply in Uganda) has set guidelines that any practitioner is supposed to follow before allocating a new water source. The guidelines refer to six critical requirements, which include a capital cost contribution by the community towards materials, which depends on the technology deemed most suitable to that area (for example, materials costs for boreholes would be around UShs 200,000, shallow wells UShs 90,000 and springs UShs 60,000 - around &pound;66, &pound;30 and &pound;20 respectively); at least a 30% improvement in sanitation and hygiene in the area and an offer of land where the water source is to be drilled. The main problem is that the overall cost of putting up a safe water source, be it a borehole, shallow well, spring or even a gravity flow scheme, is very high and is not affordable by most communities in rural Uganda. The current cost of a borehole – materials and digging - is about &pound;5,200. The willingness to pay for safe water is very high in Katine; this is demonstrated by the overwhelming response by the communities during the allocation of new water sources. But what they can afford is not enough, which is why Amref has had to meet the costs in the sub-county.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/feb/01/safe-water-leonard-kasule">Continue reading...</a>WaterKatine amrefNewsKatineUgandaWorld newsGlobal developmentSocietySanitationAfricaMon, 01 Feb 2010 14:33:58 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2010/feb/01/safe-water-leonard-kasuleDan Chung/guardian.co.ukPeople collecting water from a borehole in Katine. Photograph: GuardianLeonard Kasule2010-02-01T14:33:58ZCan you please everyone in Katine?http://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2009/nov/12/community-unhappiness
Over the past two years Amref has clearly made significant improvements in Katine. So why are some of the community unhappy? Joseph Malinga explains<p>It is now two years since the launch of the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2008/sep/23/background.news">Katine project</a>, with its aim of improving education, health, livelihoods, water and sanitation and community empowerment in the rural sub-county.</p><p>While the African Medical and Research Foundation (Amref), which is implementing the project, has made significant improvements over the last two years, some sections of the community do not seem entirely happy with the project. There are probably many reasons for this. One is perhaps related to the region's history.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2009/nov/12/community-unhappiness">Continue reading...</a>Two years onKatine amrefGovernanceNewsKatineUgandaGlobal developmentSocietyAfricaThu, 12 Nov 2009 14:58:57 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2009/nov/12/community-unhappinessGuardianWomen selling fish and groundnuts at Tiriri trading centre, Katine. Photograph: Martin GodwinGuardianWomen selling fish and groundnuts at Tiriri trading centre, Katine. Photograph: Martin GodwinJoseph Malinga2009-11-12T14:58:57ZHow do you manage expectations in Katine?http://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2009/nov/11/ben-jones-expectations
As the article about Mary Amulo and her husband illustrates, doing development raises expectations. But how do you make sense of them in a place like Katine, asks Ben Jones<p>The <a href="http://www.rds.wur.nl/UK/Staff/Long/"> sociologist Norman Long</a> describes development as an &quot;encounter&quot;. For him a project involves people from very different worlds - the &quot;developer&quot; and the &quot;developing&quot; - meeting in a particular location. Long is interested in the complex sets of relationships, strategies and approaches that build up around this. It is an encounter filled with political and economic agendas; you get &quot;actors&quot; (the people and organisations involved) and &quot;networks&quot; who try to turn the project towards their own interests. In sociological terms there are &quot;strategic groups&quot; who defend social interests, compete for power and are embedded within existing power relations. (The complexity of the &quot;development encounter&quot; is one of the reasons why projects have been favoured territory for social scientists working in rural parts of Africa.)</p><p>But the &quot;encounter&quot; is also something personal. While sociologists have to approach the world in terms of &quot;actors&quot; and &quot;networks&quot;, for villagers, journalists and development workers there is an individual experience of what is going on. Development work raises expectations and this can be difficult and awkward, particularly for the outsider. Over time, relationships are built up and obligations are felt.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2009/nov/11/ben-jones-expectations">Continue reading...</a>Two years onAid and developmentKatine amrefGlobal developmentSocietyUgandaWorld newsAfricaWed, 11 Nov 2009 13:07:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/katine/katine-chronicles-blog/2009/nov/11/ben-jones-expectationsGuardianGoods are brought for sale in Katine market. Photograph: Dan ChungMartin Godwin/guardian.co.ukA VSLA operating in Katine. Photograph: Martin GodwinBen Jones2009-11-11T13:07:01ZKatine school still waiting for teachershttp://www.theguardian.com/society/katineblog/2009/sep/30/education-amref
The challenges facing Amorikot school demonstrate the key role local and national government play in developing rural areas of Uganda, such as Katine<p>At a recent <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/katineblog/2009/sep/29/amref-exit-strategy">workshop </a> on the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2008/sep/23/background.news">Katine project</a> held in Soroti, there was much discussion about how the government – local and national - needed to play its part in supporting the efforts of the community and the Amref project. </p><p>Amorikot primary school is an example of why this complementary role is so important.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/katineblog/2009/sep/30/education-amref">Continue reading...</a>EducationKatine amrefKatineUgandaWorld newsGlobal developmentAfricaWed, 30 Sep 2009 10:29:45 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/katineblog/2009/sep/30/education-amrefGuardianPupils outside Amorikot primary school in Katine. Photograph: Dan ChungRichard M Kavuma2009-09-30T10:29:45ZLeaving Katinehttp://www.theguardian.com/society/katineblog/2009/sep/29/amref-exit-strategy
The question that was at the centre of all discussions at a recent two-day workshop on the Katine project was what is Amref's exit strategy?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2009/sep/29/voxpop-katine-workshop">Read</a> what some of those attending the workshop thought<p>It was a powerful experience to sit in a meeting room in Soroti, the nearest town to <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine">Katine</a>, for a day and half with many of the stakeholders in this <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2008/sep/23/background.news">project</a>. This is the first, and possibly the last time, that so many of the key people were all gathered together to reflect on the last 18 months and look ahead.</p><p>The participants, which numbered more than 50, were divided into discussion groups. In my group the district chairman of Soroti, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/video/2008/sep/08/video.empowerment">Stephen Ochola</a>, was sitting alongside a Katine primary school headteacher, a borehole committee member and a local councillor. It was fascinating to hear the discussions back and forth about the project.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/katineblog/2009/sep/29/amref-exit-strategy">Continue reading...</a>Katine amrefNewsKatineVillage voicesUgandaWorld newsGlobal developmentSocietyAfricaTue, 29 Sep 2009 09:33:15 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/katineblog/2009/sep/29/amref-exit-strategyDan Chung/guardian.co.ukThe road to Katine. Photograph: Dan ChungMadeleine Bunting2009-09-29T09:33:15ZOn reflection: Successes and lessons learned in Katinehttp://www.theguardian.com/society/katineblog/2009/sep/04/amref-mid-term-comments
As the mid-term review of the project is published, Claudia Codsi and Susan Wandera, from Amref, reflect on what's been achieved so far and what still needs to be done<br /><br />Read the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2009/sep/03/mid-term-review-report">full mid-term report</a> and <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2009/sep/03/mid-term-review-annexes">annexes</a><p>It has been almost two years since Amref began its work in Katine. During that time there have been many joys and frustrations and opportunities for learning. Now that we've reached this point, we thought we'd stop to take a breath and reflect on the achievements we're most proud of and the areas in which we think we can do better.</p><p>When we first visited Katine in 2007, we found a fragile community recovering from the multiple traumas of civil war, cattle rustling and drought. Some people were anxious about the future. Others were cautiously optimistic. They had just resettled in Katine after years languishing in IDP camps. Their ability to engage with local government was limited — they lacked the knowledge and the organisation to hold officials accountable for basic delivery of services, such as water, education, and health. The infrastructure itself was poor: there were few functioning schools, clinics, or clean water sources. The people of Katine were starting over.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/katineblog/2009/sep/04/amref-mid-term-comments">Continue reading...</a>Katine amrefNewsKatineUgandaWorld newsAfricaFri, 04 Sep 2009 15:04:12 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/katineblog/2009/sep/04/amref-mid-term-commentsDan Chung/guardian.co.ukSchoolchildren in Katine. Photograph: Guardian/Dan ChungClaudia Codsi and Susan Wandera2009-09-04T15:04:12ZA little bit of controversy can go a long wayhttp://www.theguardian.com/society/katineblog/2009/sep/04/ben-jones-midterm-comments
The Katine mid-term review calls on the Guardian and Amref to improve their relationship. But would that be such a good thing for the project, asks Ben Jones<br /><br />Read the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2009/sep/03/mid-term-review-report">full mid-term report</a> and <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2009/sep/03/mid-term-review-annexes">annexes</a><p>What strikes me most when reading the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2009/sep/03/mid-term-review-report">halfway review</a> of the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2008/sep/23/background.news">Katine project</a> is the relationship between Amref and the Guardian. This dominates the narrative of where we are. The most interesting parts of the review are those where the author highlights the difficulties Amref has, as a development NGO, working with a big <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/media-and-development">media</a> organisation.</p><p>Hazel Slavin, the author of the review, describes some of the problems and difficulties that have emerged through the Guardian's relationship with Amref. She suggests that what the Guardian is doing, both financing and reporting on a community development project over three years, is something different, and goes on to add that: &quot;Amref certainly didn't realise what being part of a media project would entail or, perhaps, even the purpose of it.&quot;</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/katineblog/2009/sep/04/ben-jones-midterm-comments">Continue reading...</a>Katine amrefMedia and developmentKatineUgandaWorld newsAfricaFri, 04 Sep 2009 11:08:27 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/katineblog/2009/sep/04/ben-jones-midterm-commentsGuardianGirls play during the Katine football tournament, which caused tension between the Guardian and Amref. Photograph: Dan ChungBen Jones2009-09-04T11:08:27ZKatine project mid-term review: Key points and crucial questionshttp://www.theguardian.com/society/katineblog/2009/sep/03/mid-term-review-debate
Tell us your thoughts on the Katine mid-term review and feed into the discussions on the future of the project due to take place in Uganda later this month<br /><br />Read the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2009/sep/03/mid-term-review-report">mid-term review</a> and <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2009/sep/03/mid-term-review-annexes">annexes</a><p>The <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2009/sep/03/mid-term-review-report">mid-term review</a> (MTR) is perhaps the most important document in the life of a <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2008/sep/23/background.news">Katine project</a>. This is the independent assessment of just how successful the project has been, and inevitably there has been a lot of nervousness about what it would conclude. (A review of the mid-term review processes has been written by our independent evaluator, Rick Davies, and is one of the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2009/sep/03/mid-term-review-annexes">annexes </a> - no 11).</p><p>It scores the Katine project as better than average with a 2.9 (one is the highest and five the lowest) and identifies many strengths as well as suggestions about what could be improved in the future. It reports some serious criticisms from the project steering committee (which includes representatives of local government) who claim that there has been relatively little infrastructure (such as boreholes, new classrooms) to show for the money spent. This committee has requested as an urgent priority a new health centre in the parish of Merok, more new boreholes to improve access to clean water and a plea for irrigation to combat the drought which is destroying local crops.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/katineblog/2009/sep/03/mid-term-review-debate">Continue reading...</a>Katine amrefNewsKatineUgandaWorld newsAfricaThu, 03 Sep 2009 11:45:39 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/katineblog/2009/sep/03/mid-term-review-debateGuardianA home in Katine. Photograph: Dan ChungMadeleine Bunting2009-09-03T11:45:39ZWho holds the power in Katine?http://www.theguardian.com/society/katineblog/2009/jul/22/ben-jones-power-amref
Those with the power in Katine are Amref management and the Guardian, and they are not well placed to fully understand what is going wrong in the sub-county or how to remedy the situation, argues Ben Jones<p>In <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/katineblog/2009/jul/15/mid-term-reflections-ben-jones">my last blog</a> I identified a number of concerns about the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2008/sep/23/background.news">Katine project</a>. These included problems with contracting (Kampala contractors did a less than satisfactory job laying boreholes and building the school at Amorikot). I also questioned the extent to which the project learns from the experience of other NGOs and community organisations working in the region. A further issue, identified by the <a href="http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Guardian/documents/2008/03/26/RD-Katine-visit-1.pdf">external evaluator</a> of the project, is the degree of distance between the field staff working in Katine and the wider community.</p><p>Taken at face value these problems appear to be problems &quot;down there&quot;. They should be sorted out by those in the field who are best placed to talk to a problem contractor or do a survey of other NGOs experiences in Teso. But is this the full story? Might problems down there also have something to do with what goes on up here? Are they an outgrowth of the relationship between <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/amref">Amref</a>, an international NGO, and the Guardian?</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/katineblog/2009/jul/22/ben-jones-power-amref">Continue reading...</a>EmpowermentGovernanceKatineKatine amrefWed, 22 Jul 2009 11:41:48 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/katineblog/2009/jul/22/ben-jones-power-amrefDan Chung/guardian.co.ukWalking home from the market in Katine. Photograph: GuardianBen Jones2009-07-22T11:41:48Z